Supporting rod for shields for automobile radiators



r E. A. VETTER SUPPORTING ROD FOR SHIELDS FOR AUTOMOBILE RADIATORS Jul 27,1926.

Filed Sept. 24, 19255 Patented July 27, 1926.

UNITED Slh il ilfi EBERHARDTA. VETTER, OF RICHMQND, VIRGINIA, ASSIGNOE TO CRAWFORD MANU- IACTURING COMPANY, INC, OF RICHMOND, VIRGINIA, A COltlQl-ndltltlll GIN IA.

,SUPPORTING ROD FOB 5.135111151111175 liC'Tt AUTGMOBXLE RADIATOES.

Application filed September 24, 1925.

This invention relates to attachl'nents to the radiators of motor vehicles, and more particularly to members adapted to support shields or curtains in front of the radiator whereby to control the amount of air passing through the latter during the movement of the vehicle.

In Patent No. 1,558,533 issued Oct. 27, 1925, in the name of Burtis 0. Gone, is dis- 1 closed a shield made up of a plurality of slats mounted on rods positioned in vertical parallelism on each side of the radiator, said rods being fastened to the radiator by means of bolts extended through the cells thereof. Such a device is not applicable to cars of certain types, however, and it is the object of the present invention to so form and equip such rods that they may be attached to any type of automobile radiator.

Another object of the invention is the provision of shield supports as described, which may easily be attached or detached, which may be economically applied, and which are extremely efficient in operation.

Other objects of the invention will be made apparent in the following specification, taken'in connection with the drawings forming a part thereof.

In said drawings Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a radiator equipped with the shield supporting rods embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken through a portion of the radiator shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective View of one of the supporting rods, a portion of the length thereof being removed and,

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional detail of the upper end of the rod in operative position.

Now referring specifically to the drawings in which like reference numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, A indicates the radiator portion of an automobile, provided with a metallic flange 1, terminating in a bead 2, entirely surrounding the cells 3 of the radiator, as clearly shown in the drawings.

It is the purpose of this invention to provide means for mounting an adjustable shield B, in front of the cells 3, and with this end in View I provide two bars 4, 4, each adapted for attachment at its top and bottom, to the flange 1 of the radiator.

Serial No. 58,311.

As shown most clearly in Fig. 3, each of the bars 4 is provided adjacent each end with a depressed portion 5. having riveted thereto a thin strip 6, and each end 7 of the bar 4 is formed on a curved adapted to fit over the head 2 formed on the flange 1 and surrounding the radiator cells A. screw 8 passes through a screw threaded aperture in the curved end 7, and the end of the screw passes through another screwthreaded aperture formed in a boss 9 formed on the strip 6, the boss 9 being provided for the purpose of permitting the formation of the necessary threads on said strip.

In applying the bars 4 to the radiator, after the shield B is fitted to the bars, will be later set forth, each end of the strip 6 is slipped under the flange 1, and the screw 8 is then rotated to press the curved ends 7, of the bar 4, tightly against the bead 2 formed on the flange 1. Since this operation is performed at the top and bottom of each bar 4, it is obvious that the bars are immovably clamped in position thereby.

As shown in the drawings, and as set forth and claimed in said Cone patent heretofore referred to, the shield B is composed of a plurality of slats 10, one collapsible upon the other to vary the amount of air passing through the cells of the radiator. Each slat 10 is provided with an eyelet 11 adjacent each end, said eyelets bein adapted to be threaded over the ends of the bars 4, before said bars are secured to the radiator flange 1. Furthermore, as also disclosed in said patent, fastener elements 12 are carried over the outer ends of the top screws 8, to co-operate with complementary fastener elements 18 carried by the top slat 10 of the shield. The body portion of the bars 4 is also provided with fastener elements 14, similar to the elements 12, in that they co-operate with the elements 13 carried by the slats 10, whereby to detachably retain the shield in any intermediate position of adjustment. The shield B is secured at the bottom of the radiator by passing the screws 8 through small eyelets 15, carried adjacent the sides and bottom of the shield.

It will be noted that the inset portions 5 of the bars 4 space the body of the bars away from the cells 3 of the radiator, lear I ing room for the vertical travel of the eyelets 11 during the adjustments of the shield.

The construction above described permits the attachment of such shields to the radiators of any cars provided with radiator flanges having a peripheral bead, and eliminates the necessity of the utilization of bolts which pass through the radiator cells, or into apertures bored into the sides of the radiator frame. Furthermore the bars l may be applied with no tool except a screwdriver, and without the necessity of raising the hood of'the automobile. Hence they are easily positioned by the car owner without the employment of a skilled mechanic.

In cases where it is desired to apply the bars to a radiator not provided with the bead l, the curve at the ends of the bar may be eliminated, and a biting tooth provided on the inner surface of the extreme end thereof. With such construction the rota tion of the screw 8 will cause the tooth to bite into the metal of the flange 1, and firmly secure the bar l in position.

\Vhile I prefer the vertical arrangement of the bars 4 it is obvious that they could extend horizontally across the radiator if desirable.

Modifications of the structure herein described may be suggested to those skilled in the art, but my invention covers all such embodiments as fall fairly within the scope of the appended claims.

hat I claim is 1. A supporting member for automobile radiator shields comprising a bar, a shield slidable longitudinally of said bar, said bar being provided at each end with means for clamping engagement with portion of the radiator, and being oitset at its body portion to space it from the radiator cells whereby to permit movement of said shield longitudinally of said bar.

2. A supporting member for automobile radiator shields, comprising a bar provided at each end with a clamp adapted to be secured to the flange of a radiator, a shield slid-ably mounted on said bar, and fasteners on said bar, cooperative with complementary fasteners on said shield, whereby to detachably secure the shield at various points longitudinally of the bar.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

EBERHALRDT A. VETTER. 

